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Author
Topic: Please keep Betty in your thoughts (Read 8871 times)

So yesterday our long-standing and hyper-respected forum member (and friend) Betty had a horrible fall on ice and ended up in the hospital all day long and then had surgery performed on her late afternoon/early evening to fix a hip fracture and have a metal pin put in somewhere. Basically she's in bad shape, pumped up with Dilaudid, but managed to perform a post-surgery walk up and down her hospital hallway this morning.

I think she may stay in the hospital another day or two before being set up at home (remember, she is single and lives alone) with physical therapy. Hopefully she has someone that can assist with grocery shopping and look in on her. (edit: she says she does)

Will post more as things progress, and I believe Jeff's actually spoken to her so hopefully he will chime in. But I just wanted members to keep her in their thoughts.

I spoke with Betty a few minutes ago and she sounds like she is in good spirits considering what she is up against . She will most likely come home tomorrow with a walker and have a physical therapist come to her home to assist in getting her going again .

She has a few people she can count on to look in on her while she is healing as well as a friend in the building she can call in a pinch . She should be home and giving all of us her own update by tomorrow I hope .

I spoke with Betty a few minutes ago and she sounds like she is in good spirits considering what she is up against . She will most likely come home tomorrow with a walker and have a physical therapist come to her home to assist in getting her going again .

Betty, Miss P will be jealous that you got a walker before he did.

Seriously, I'm so sorry to learn of your fall and subsequent surgery. I'm glad you are in good spirits, and sending you prayers for a speedy recovery.

Hugs,

Henry

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"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Sorry to hear about this. This sounds just awful. I wish you a speedy recovery. We have a friend who fell and broke her knee cap yesterday.

I hope everyone else is spared a fall, as the snow and ice seem to be a weekly event. We just had a big snow and now an ice storm. I was walking with my hands in my pocket and realized that wasn't a good idea. But, even with hands to break a fall, many still get injured, like you.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Betty is still in the hospital, and her pain level is still quite high though she says she just was able to get up, wash up a bit and at least change her hospital gown and that more pain relief is to arrive any minute. She might go home tomorrow though.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and sweet messages! Wow, I guess I wasn't expecting so many people to post lol.

I had an upper femoral fracture and had to have a rod, plate, and bolt put in. The rod runs along the outside of my left leg. I returned home last evening but was exhausted so didn't log on. Of course I had insomnia and couldn't get to sleep until after midnight, then woke up at 2:00 am (and have been up since).

I'm on Coumadin for a month, there is a visiting nurse association who are going to travel to my apartment to do the pro time, twice a week. Physical therapy will start next week, also in my apartment.

I was on my way to an eye appointment when I fell so I had to call someone to have her call the eye place to cancel my appointment. I tried to get up but couldn't even roll to my right side, so called 911. I laid on the ice in the snow about 25 minutes before the medics came. Couldn't move my leg at all, every time they tried it felt like a pain I've never felt before, and the worst pain I've ever experienced.

I was told by several nurses that I'm too young for my bones to be so brittle (hello LTS'ers), and said this usually happens to an 80 year old.

But, I'm home now, using the walker to get around. I took a shower this morning, and did some cooking for breakfast. Slowly but surely. The follow up appointment to Monday's surgery is next Tuesday. Thanks again everyone, it's greatly appreciated!

Edited to add: the surgeon informed me that the timeline for a complete recovery, comparable to how the leg could move before, is 3-6 months.

« Last Edit: February 07, 2014, 03:01:16 PM by BT65 »

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

What an awful experience and I am glad that you are on the mend. I have to tell you Betty, that you are possibly the strongest person I have ever known. No matter what comes your way, you refuse to be bowed and your passion and strength seem to have no bounds.

Good to hear that you are home and already being so independent.Sorry about the lack of sleep, hope you get a better nights rest tonight.You have more strength than you know and everyone is wishing you a speedy recovery.

Glad to hear you're home and doing reasonably well. At least most of your recovery time will be indoors during this prolonged period of horrid weather we're expecting.

I don't recall, but have you had a bone density done? If nothing else, it gives a baseline. My own doctor has discovered a high % who have weakened bones. He routinely orders them now and this was partly due to my experiences.

Remember, alcohol intensifies the affect of pain meds, so you don't need to take as many if you're enjoying a nice glass of wine.

Thanks again guys. Actually since I've been up (2 am), I've only taken 5 pain pills. So that's not bad. Mitch, no one was around, so no one brought out any blankets.

Greg, I have had a bone density done and osteoporosis was diagnosed from that.

Joe, I don't know about being the strongest person you know. I have my moments believe me.

Special thanks to Jeff and David for frequently checking in with me. Jeff also did something very, very special. I don't want to say what it is in case he does not want it known (I know how modest he is). Very gracious. And of course I can't thank everyone else enough for the well wishes, it means a hell of a lot.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow